Culturing and colony data lab
Streak and incubate a culture, then count and describe colonies to gather data on bacterial growth.
Colony data table: colony count, size estimate, color, shape, edge type for target colonies; separate tally for contamination colonies.
- 1Do thisStreak and incubate a culture, then count and describe colonies to gather data on bacterial growth.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisData table: Colony data table: colony count, size estimate, color, shape, edge type for target colonies; separate tally for contamination colonies.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions) › Aseptic technique, culturing, selection, resistance genes, and data reliability. › Data tableOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: How does careful technique and systematic observation turn a streak of bacteria into reliable scientific data?
- 0-8 minDon gloves and goggles; review Tuesday's aseptic technique checklist before opening any materials
- 8-25 minStreak the plate using the four-quadrant method (or as directed); use aseptic technique throughout
- 25-30 minLabel plate with name, date, and sample source; set to incubate inverted
- 30-52 minExamine incubated plates (pre-grown or same-day depending on protocol); count distinct colonies using a grid or tally method
- 52-67 minDescribe colony features in the data table: size (mm estimated), color, shape (round/irregular), and edge (smooth/rough/wavy)
- 67-80 minNote and separately count any contamination colonies; record target-colony count and morphology summary
- • Every antibiotic your doctor might prescribe was first tested against colonies grown exactly this way on agar plates.
- • The data you collect today, colony count and morphology, feeds directly into Thursday's analysis of how resistance spreads.
- • Your Tuesday aseptic technique practice has one job today: make sure what grows on your plate is what you intended to grow.
- • Exit goal: a labeled plate in the incubator and a complete colony description data table.
- 1Put on gloves and use aseptic technique to streak your plate.
- 2Label the plate with your name, date, and sample, then set it to incubate.
- 3Once colonies grow, count the distinct colonies on your plate.
- 4Describe colony features: size, color, shape, and edges.
- 5Note any signs of contamination and separate them from your target colonies.
- 6Record your colony count and descriptions for analysis.
- • You will be able to streak and incubate a culture aseptically.
- • You will be able to count and describe bacterial colonies.
- • You will be able to distinguish target colonies from contamination.
- • A streak plate isolates individual bacteria so each colony that grows represents one clone descended from a single cell.
- • Colony morphology (size, color, shape, edge type) is a first-level identifier; consistent morphology across the plate is a sign of a pure culture.
- • Contamination colonies are identified by distinct morphology different from the target; their count is recorded separately but they are not included in target-colony analysis.
Your PLTW work today
Aseptic technique, culturing, selection, resistance genes, and data reliability. · Culturing and colony data lab
Day 3 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Activity 1.2.3 Attack of the Superbugs in myPLTW and follow the culturing protocol to set up your plates today.
Inoculate your plates following aseptic technique and record which antibiotic disc is in each zone.
Pre-lab plan should be done (Tuesday); plates inoculated and documented today.
Plate diagram with antibiotic disc labels and initial setup notes in notebook.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Aseptic technique, culturing, selection, resistance genes, and data reliability. · Culturing and colony data lab
Open Activity 1.2.3 Attack of the Superbugs in myPLTW and follow the culturing protocol to set up your plates today.
Pre-lab plan should be done (Tuesday); plates inoculated and documented today.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Streak and incubate a culture, then count and describe colonies to gather data on bacterial growth.
- Put on gloves and use aseptic technique to streak your plate.
- Label the plate with your name, date, and sample, then set it to incubate.
- Once colonies grow, count the distinct colonies on your plate.
- Describe colony features: size, color, shape, and edges.
- Note any signs of contamination and separate them from your target colonies.
- Record your colony count and descriptions for analysis.
Data table: Colony data table: colony count, size estimate, color, shape, edge type for target colonies; separate tally for contamination colonies.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Put on gloves and use aseptic technique to streak your plate. | _______ |
| Label the plate with your name, date, and sample, then set it to incubate. | _______ |
| Once colonies grow, count the distinct colonies on your plate. | _______ |
| Describe colony features: size, color, shape, and edges. | _______ |
| Note any signs of contamination and separate them from your target colonies. | _______ |
| Record your colony count and descriptions for analysis. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You will be able to streak and incubate a culture aseptically.
- You will be able to count and describe bacterial colonies.
- You will be able to distinguish target colonies from contamination.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Culturing, aseptic technique, superbugs by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-1_How-to-Fight-Infection/00_Unit-Overview. Score 126. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Open this when the class reaches this activity and use it to complete the required lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Culturing, aseptic technique, superbugs by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-1_How-to-Fight-Infection/1.2_Antibiotic-Treatment. Score 126. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Lab & supplies
- • Goggles and gloves on before opening any culture tube; keep on until all materials are decontaminated.
- • Treat all bacterial cultures as biohazardous even if the strain is labeled safe; apply standard BSL-1 precautions.
- • Never open culture tubes near open flames or air vents; keep lids on except during inoculation.
- • Flame inoculating loops until red-hot and allow to cool for five seconds before touching culture; do not wave hot loops through the air.
- • Set plates to incubate inverted; do not stack more than three plates to prevent slipping.
- • Before disposal: flood plates with 10% bleach, wait five minutes, then seal in biohazard bag for autoclave or dispose per school protocol.
- • Wash hands with soap and water immediately after removing gloves.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
If you miss the lab, work the virtual resistance dataset and teacher colony images: count colonies, describe their features, and submit your data table.
learn.genetics (Utah) virtual labsThen submit your Data table on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
CDC Antibiotic Resistance- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Mon, Oct 5, 2026 · Culturing and colony data lab here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
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